Buffalo Grove H.S. theater to present Studs Terkel’s ‘Working’
Tickets are available for Buffalo Grove High School’s Bison Grove Theatre Company’s spring musical “Working,” with 7 p.m. performances on Thursday, April 18; Friday, April 19; and Saturday, April 20, in the Miller Theatre at Buffalo Grove High School, 1100 W. Dundee Road.
Tickets are available in advance online at GoFan. Co and at the door, while supplies last.
Based on Studs Terkel’s bestselling book of interviews with American workers, “Working” paints a vivid portrait of the workers that the world so often takes for granted: the schoolteacher, the phone operator, the waitress, the millworker, the mason and the housewife, to name just a few.
Nominated for six Tony Awards, this classic has been updated for a modern age, featuring new songs by Tony Award-winning Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as favorites by Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, James Taylor, Micki Grant and more.
This new version of “Working” is a musical exploration of 26 people from all walks of life. While most of the professions have been updated, the show’s strengths are in the core truths that transcend specific professions; the key is how people’s relationships to their work ultimately reveal essential aspects of their humanity, regardless of the trappings of the job itself. The show, still set in contemporary America, contains timeless truths. This new version of “Working” allows the audience to get a rare glimpse of the actors and technicians, working to put on a show.
Each show is brought to life by BGHS actors, including: Charlotte Anne, Isaac Baric, Iszabella Busch, Hanna Boehm, Nina Carter, Alexa Chavez, Ethan Cho, Chris Conkle, Michelle Deschytsia, Natalie Edstrom, Joan Gardner, Jack Greenspan, Peter Kim, Sasha Kolodnikov, Angelli Manalansan, Jose Martinez, Alexandria Mele, Natalie Michael, River Nevel, Fernando Ortiz, Madeleine Paytuvi, Julia Pedersen, Sophia Pedersen, Zoe Petti, Ender Puent, Lexi Samander, Jordan Sipiera, Evan Sternberg, Hailey Sullivan, Nathan Wight and Kayla Young.
The production is codirected by BGHS Theater Arts Program directors Beth Wells and Lauren Stenzel, with vocal direction by Debora Utley. They are assisted by student assistant directors Natalie Liigsoo and Ani Skiles, as well as choreographers Maya Anbinder and Charlotte Anne. The BGHS costume crew is led by costume director Debbie Andres with student costume chief Riley Wendricks and the costume crew of Maya Anbinder, Isaac Baric, Ariadni Bissia, Jessica Riesterer, and Elanna VanKirk. BGHS house management is provided by Debbie Jacks.
The pit orchestra, under the direction of Joshua Stewart, includes students Brennan Watson on guitar, Harris Brinson on drums, percussion by Payton Johnson, and professional accompanist Forrest Cataldo.
Technical director is Ed Conkle, assistant technical director is Ethan Goldspiel and the sound director is Philip Tschammer. Student technical director Sam Haas, leads the BGHS student crew including stage manager Michael Morrison, assistant stage managers Sheila Markman and Kyle Rickman and crew: Maya Anbinder, Hailey Barbakoff, Natalie Black, Sebastian Bolanos, William Cho, John Ciolek, Tommy Conroy, Carlos Delgado, Parth Desai, Maxim Dvorkin, Charlie Eidson, Geetika Esarapu, Samuel Haas, Jessline Hwang, Stephany Jaramillo Mata, Payton Johnson, Caleb Lim, Sheila Markman, Justin Mendoza, Katarina Meschbach, Michael Morrison, Joshua Oo, Gavin Oracion, Ender Puent, Kyle Rickman, Jonathan Rivera Manzo, Anastasiia Rusnak, Charlie Schwartz, Calix Seto, Arjun Sharma, Ethan Shlau, Ashley Sullivan, Hailey Sullivan and Erin Sylos.
Seating is general admission. Tickets are $15. Online tickets for any of the shows include a service charge and may be purchased at GoFan. Co. The box office opens 60 minutes before curtain time. Cash, checks and credit/debit cards are accepted at the door.
For information, call BGHS house manager Debbie Jacks at (847) 718-4011.